Penwortham Girls’ High School pupils design unity t-shirts for national competition

One of Penwortham Girls’ High School’s t-shirts during the judging process

Creative pupils from a Penwortham high school have designed t-shirts for the national competition UNITEE.

Penwortham Girls’ High School students created t-shirts inspired by the theme of unity. Each form selected a design, and they were brought to life by Mrs Freer from the school’s technology department. The final designs were displayed in a celebratory virtual fashion show.

Miss Starkie, Equality Lead, said: “Staff from across the school modelled the designs using a range of poses. It was great to see so many of our teachers getting involved and showing off their skills!”

The school used the beginning of assembly to commemorate Zaynab from Year 10, who tragically passed away this year. Zaynab had written about the importance of unity and the power of young people to grow and make the world a better place.

Miss Starkie said her friends read her thoughtful words, and it was a moving reminder about the importance of uniting together.

The school welcomed two guests to the fashion show, Mike Haines OBE, the creator of the UNITEES national competition, and local MP Katherine Fletcher.

Mike spoke about how important the message of unity is and how it inspired him to create the competition, which aims to combat hatred and extremism and spread tolerance and understanding.

After watching the virtual show, Mike contacted the school to let them know how impressed he was with the designs.

He said: “I have watched that video four or five times now. It is brilliant. A massive well done. Congratulations to your school, teachers, staff, and the amazing girls.

“You all did such a wonderful job, and all the designs are of the highest order. I am seriously impressed.”

Katherine Fletcher visited the school to see the designs and answer questions from the new student leadership team during the assembly.

Katherine took part in the school’s International Women’s Day celebrations earlier this year and was impressed with the designs, especially the one created by 10H.

Miss Starkie said: “We were so impressed by the creativity and compassion shown by our students throughout the competition.

“The winners are to be announced later this month, but we have also held a school competition to find out our winning designs from each year group. We cannot wait to celebrate the winning designs!”

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